Lisa Merryweather-Millard
Transforming children’s mental health through play-based technology.
Project
lumin&us
URL
Location
West Midlands
Theme
Health
Transforming children's mental health through play-based technology
Lisa Merryweather-Millard is co-founder of lumin&us, a digital platform that harnesses neuroscience and play therapy to support children’s mental health. Her journey from educator to innovator began during 16 years in teaching, where she discovered children’s attainment and achievement were byproducts of good mental and emotional health. When COVID-19 left families unable to access therapeutic support, she partnered with social worker Charlotte Jenkins to create digital mental health resources.
The children’s mental health crisis is severe in the UK, with over 20% of children and young people having a probable mental health disorder, costing families, businesses and government over £300 billion annually. lumin&us addresses this through professionally curated games and activities that help parents and children understand the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.
“The only way we can ensure every child has access to good mental health and wellbeing support is to ensure every parent and carer has the skills to provide it.” says Lisa.
Her innovation has received recognition from AdoptionUK, The Theraplay Institute, and The Polyvagal Institute. lumin&us is certified for NHS use by ORCHA as the first app harnessing neuroscience and play therapies, and will be part of a national NHS Pilot Scheme in 2025.
“I’m delighted to have been recognised as a Women in Innovation Award winner. It represents a lot of hard work and commitment to improving lives for children and families,” says Lisa.
“The biggest barrier to women in innovation is educating others that coming up with ordinary solutions to everyday problems is innovation,” Lisa reflects. “Innovation is just problem-solving and most women excel at this.”
Her advice to aspiring women innovators? “Keep going, every ‘no’ is one step closer to a ‘yes’. And seek out and surround yourself with other amazing, inspiring and innovative women. They will become your army.”
For more information on Women in Innovation
Find out more about the Women in Innovation Award and other support available across the Innovate UK ecosystem on the Women in Innovation programme page.